NNY Ag Development Program

Northern New York Agriculture

By

January 2023 Dairy Days: NNYADP calf probiotic, co-digestion research updates

This flow diagram illustrates one scenario developed by the Cornell PRO-DAIRY Dairy Environment Systems program for its NNYADP-funded case study of the economic feasibility of co-digestion of dairy manure and food waste on a northern New York dairy farm. RNG is renewable natural gas. Graphic courtesy of Cornell PRO-DAIRY.
This flow diagram illustrates one scenario developed by the Cornell PRO-DAIRY Dairy Environment Systems program for its NNYADP-funded case study of the economic feasibility of co-digestion of dairy manure and food waste on a northern New York dairy farm. RNG is renewable natural gas. Graphic courtesy of Cornell PRO-DAIRY.

Watertown and Lowville, NY; December 14, 2022.  The 2023 Dairy Days programming on January 17 in Watertown and January 18 in Lowville will include Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) research updates on the potential benefits of probiotic supplementation for dairy calves as well as the economic feasibility of manure and food waste co-digestion for northern New York dairy farms. For more information, cost, and to register for the 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. program at the Watertown Elks Lodge or CCE Lewis County Education Center in Lowville, call 315-788-8450 or email tlm92@cornell.edu.

With NNYADP grant funding in 2022, the Miner Institute has investigated the potential use of kefir, a fermented milk beverage traditionally made from cows’ milk, as a way to reduce or prevent digestive disease in neonatal dairy calves. A 2018 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture attributed 56.4 percent of pre-weaned dairy heifer mortality on U.S. dairy farms to diarrhea or other digestive issues. A 2020 NNYADP-funded study identified the need to determine the specific cause of neonatal diarrhea in dairy calves to more effectively treat calf illness.

The NNYADP also provided grant funding in 2022 for an economic feasibility case study of the co-digestion of dairy manure and food waste. The project, led by the Cornell PRO-DAIRY Dairy Environmental Systems program, includes analysis of their novel anaerobic digester systems simulation tool. This case study is designed to serve as a model of the process that other farms would use to evaluate the economic feasibility of co-digestion for their farm business.

Presentations focused on workforce issues, milk quality, dairy markets, and climate change impact are also on each Dairy Day’s agenda. The 2023 Dairy Days, organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension, area sponsored in part by the farmer-driven NNYADP.

NNYADP logoFunding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

By

Willsboro: 2022 Corn Silage Hybrid Evaluation Results

The 2022 New York and Vermont Corn Silage Hybrid Evaluation Program report is now available. The program is a collaboration by Cornell University and the University of Vermont. The reporting for 2022 includes trial data from Willsboro in Northern New York.

See the following links for:
. the full 2022 season evaluation report
. 2022 season summary with a quick glance table for maturity groups 80-95 days RM and 96-110 days RM and more data
. links to the 2022 and past seasons’ corn silage hybrid evaluation reports
. forage systems information from the Cornell PRO-DAIRY program.

Photo courtesy of Joe Lawrence, Cornell PRO-DAIRY dairy forage systems specialist.

By

12/3 Maple School Includes NNYADP Maple & Beech Research Updates

Ryan Nerp maple trees for an NNYADP research project at Uihlein Maple Research Forest, Lake Placid, NY. Photo: Adam Wild

Results from the latest Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) maple research projects will be presented at the Making the Most of Maple workshop on Saturday, December 3, 2022, in Lowville, New York. Northern New York Maple Specialist Adam Wild, director of the Uihlein Maple Research Forest at Lake Placid, will be joined by Cornell University’s Statewide Maple Specialist Aaron Wightman and Cornell Maple Program Product Development Food Scientist Catherine Belisle, Ph.D., as workshop presenters. The 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. workshop will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County Learning Center, 7395 East Road, Lowville. Contact CCE at 315-376-5270 to reserve your space by November 30.

During the workshop, Wild will preview the results of his 2022 NNYADP project investigation the feasibility of producing sap from American beech trees for syrup production. Sugarmakers want to know if tapping beech trees can be economically worthwhile, while land managers and biodiversity advocates are interested to learn if beech syrup production might give northern forest owners an incentive to keep the beech trees despite issues with beech bark disease and a root system that threatens to crowd out more marketable species.

Wild will also present follow-up results of NNYADP-funded trials of 1/4-inch sap collection tubing and fixtures. Data has shown that sap in 3/16s’ diameter tubing systems can drop off due to clogging as soon as the second year after installation.

NNYADP-prioritized maple research has supported the growth of the northern New York maple industry from a documented $3.25 million annual valuation in 2008 to now more than $20 millin per year with room yet to grow.

NNYADP maple research has included:
. 2008 study of the growth potential of the regional maple industry
. climate adaptation trials
. how to build producer-landowner collaborations
. a cost-benefit analysis of leasing trees for tapping versus lumber harvest
. the cloning of NNY sweet maple trees, and
. ways to increase sap yield and profitability for both gravity-fed and vacuum-pressure systems. Learn more under the Research: Maple, Birch and Honey tab on this website.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature through the New York State Assembly and is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

By

12/1 Webinar on NNYADP-Project: Economic Feasibility of Manure & Food Waste Co-Digestion on NNY Dairy Farm

DECEMBER 1, 2022, 12 pm-1 pm Webinar
Economic Feasibility Case Study of Co-Digestion of Manure and Food Waste on a NNY Dairy Farm: A Project Funded by the NNYADP
Register at https://cals.cornell.edu/co-digestion-webinar

Speakers with Cornell PRO-DAIRY: Agricultural Sustainability & Energy Engineer Lauren Ray, Agricultural Engineer Peter Wright; moderators: CCE NCRAT Regional Dairy Specialist Lindsay Ferlito, Cornell PRO-DAIRY Dairy Environmental Systems Specialist Angela George.
Presentation: Food waste sources and tipping fees, biogas generation and utilization for energy, and digested effluent storage and nutrient management planning will be covered. Q & A session included. Scenario 1:  Addition of food waste (20% by volume) to existing manure anaerobic digester to electricity system. Scenario 2: New construction anaerobic digester to renewable natural gas (RNG) system taking in food waste (up to 50% by volume) with manure.

Final NNYADP project report: Economic Feasibility Case Study of Co-Digestion of Manure and Food Waste on a NNY Dairy Farm will be posted in the spring on this website.

By

NNYADP Issues Call for Farm Research Proposals: Apply by 10/28

Northern New York; September 13, 2022.  The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) has issued a call for farm-based research proposals for small grants funding for projects that will benefit the diverse agricultural production sectors of the six-county region that includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The NNYADP grant guidelines, research ideas, and application form are posted at https://www.nnyagdev.org under the About: Project by Year tab. Applications must be submitted on or before October 28, 2022. Anyone with special needs for submitting a proposal may contact Michele Ledoux for assistance at 315-376-5270.

Projects are sought under the broad categories of dairy, field crops, livestock, local foods/horticulture, and maple and forestry products. Focus areas of interest include agricultural environmental stewardship, regenerative agriculture, northern climate-related adaptability, animal health, local foods production and marketing opportunities, and the application of nature-based solutions as well as innovative technology.

The New York State Legislature established the NNYADP in 1961. The program is noted for its fiscal efficiency and real-world results valued by farmers locally, statewide, and across the U.S. The NNYADP is nationally recognized for its on-farm agricultural tile drainage research, and its commitment to creating the science for a biocontrol management solution for multiple crop pests now in demand by crops’ producers across the U.S., particularly corn growers. Farmers with the Idaho hops industry, valued at roughly $185 million, have recently made a first application of the biocontrol nematodes protocol developed in northern New York and shown to manage black vine weevil.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York Legislature through the New York State Assembly and administered through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

MORE INFORMATION:
According to the last Census of Agriculture, New York State’s northernmost region represents diverse farmer demographics, including young farmers under 35 years of age, new and beginning farmers of less than 10 years, small farm operators with 179 or fewer acres, and female farmers who are 37 percent of all farmers in the region. Three food hubs have started in northern New York since 2016. Recent on-farm enterprise additions in the region include A2A2 milk bottling, yogurt production, local foods sales locations, and essential oil distilling.